Nigerian Navy Foils Sea Robbery, Rescues 16 Passengers on Ibaka–Calabar Waterway

The Nigerian Navy has foiled a suspected sea robbery attempt and rescued 16 passengers along the busy Ibaka–Calabar Channel during a swift maritime security operation.

In a statement, the Navy’s Director of Information, Abiodun Folorunsho, said the operation followed credible intelligence about suspicious criminal activity around Buoy 12 along the strategic waterway.

According to him, gunboats from the Nigerian Navy Forward Operating Base Ibaka were immediately deployed to intercept the suspected criminals and restore security in the area.

Folorunsho explained that when the naval patrol team arrived at the location, they encountered suspected sea robbers who had already intercepted a fibre passenger boat traveling from Ibaka in Akwa Ibom State to Bakassi in Cameroon.

The criminals reportedly held the civilians hostage with plans to abduct them into nearby creeks.

“In a decisive demonstration of operational readiness, Nigerian Navy gunboats engaged the criminals, rescued the hostages and forced the attackers to flee into shallow creeks close to the channel,” Folorunsho said.

He confirmed that the naval team successfully recovered the passenger boat and rescued all 16 victims, who were found safe and unharmed.

Following the rescue, naval personnel escorted the passengers to the Nigeria–Cameroon maritime border to ensure their safe passage and continuation of their journey.

The Navy said the operation highlights its sustained efforts to secure Nigeria’s waterways and protect maritime users. It also aligns with the vision of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Idi Abbas, to build a modern and agile naval force capable of safeguarding Nigeria’s maritime interests and combating maritime crime.